National Business

OTTAWA — Canadian retail sales in December posted their largest decline since the low of April as provinces tightened restrictions in response to a rise in COVID-19 cases, taking a bite out of the normally busy holiday shopping season.

HALIFAX — Chorus Aviation Inc. says an acquisition proposal from an unnamed bidder that it received last fall is no longer being considered, but that it remains in talks regarding a potential investment.

MONTREAL — CGI Inc. has signed a deal to buy back and cancel 4.2 million of its class-A subordinate voting shares from the Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec for $400 million. The technology consulting company says it will pay $95.

CALGARY — The leadership at private junior oilsands producer Osum Oil Sands Corp. say they will sell their shares after Waterous Energy Fund increased its bid by 25 per cent.

AUSTIN, Texas — Power was restored to more homes and businesses Thursday in states hit by a deadly blast of winter that overwhelmed the electrical grid and left millions shivering in the cold this week.

JASPER, Alta. — A famous hotel in Alberta’s Rocky Mountains has reopened reservations after they were mysteriously closed last month because of a private block booking.

MONTREAL — Two Ontario-based companies plan to expand their operations in Quebec as part of a major satellite project. The agreement in principle announced Thursday between MDA, Telesat and the Quebec government is valued at $1.

MONTREAL — Transat A.T. Inc.

Calgary-based Inter Pipeline Ltd. says it has initiated a review of strategic alternatives in response to a hostile takeover bid launched last week by its largest shareholder, Brookfield Infrastructure Partners LP.

TORONTO — Some of the most active companies traded Thursday on the Toronto Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange (18,274.07, down 100.71 points.) Manulife Financial Corp. (TSX:MFC). Financials. Down eight cents, or 0.32 per cent, to $25 on 26.